Full Statute Name: Mckinney's Consolidated Laws of New York Annotated. Agriculture and Markets Law. Chapter 69. Of the Consolidated Laws. Article 26. Animals.

This New York statute provides that it is a crime to steal dogs, defined as: removing the collar, identification tag or any other identification by which the owner may be ascertained from any dog, cat or any other domestic animal; seizing or molesting any dog, while it is being held or led by any person or while it is properly muzzled or wearing a collar with an identification tag attached, except where such action is incidental to the enforcement of some law or regulation; or transporting any dog, not lawfully in his possession, for the purpose of killing or selling such dog.

Statute Text:

It shall be unlawful for any person:

1. To remove or cause to be removed the collar, identification tag or any other identification by which the owner may be ascertained from any dog, cat or any other companion animal as defined in subdivision five of section three hundred fifty of this chapter, or to entice any identified dog, cat or other such companion animal into or out of any house or enclosure for the purpose of removing its collar, tag or any other identification, except with the owner's permission;

2. To entice, seize or molest any companion animal, while it is being held or led by any person or while it is properly muzzled or wearing a collar with an identification tag attached, except where such action is incidental to the enforcement of some law or regulation;

3. To transport any companion animal, not lawfully in his possession, for the purpose of killing or selling such companion animal.

Any person violating any of the provisions of this section, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars, or by imprisonment not to exceed six months, or by both.